Optical Cable

It would be useful to know where in the world you are at, and just what parent code you are being asked to comply with.

Was UL marked cable specified in the bid documents? Have you used UL marked cable? Is it UL Listed, UL Classified, or UL Performance Vertified? Three different markings, three different listings.

Did you use UL classification OFC, OFCR, OFCG, OFN...

[edit, acronynectomy] AHJ =- Authority Having Jurisdiction, the local building inspection official who has the final say on construction projects.

Thank you all for your comments. My question was about UL listed for the direct burial installation. NEC 770 does not address any outdoor fiber optic cable. Still 110.3A1 should still apply? The cable is an German cable with different testing and marks but is not UL listed.

You will have problems, unless you can find some way to cross reference the non-UL cable with a German spec. Or some recognized spec.

Otherwise, UL will be glad to test and certify it for you. $

I assume you are in the US since you are using terms like AHJ and NEC.
I don't know about all states, but in Florida it is illegal to install electrical equipment (including wiring) that is not UL Listed, or listed by another recognized testing laboratory (and the AHJ's here don't speak German)

Is an optical cable considered electrical? It carries zero current!

It depends on the jurisdiction and the system type; neither of which we are currently aware.

Ask Underwriters Laboratory for a list of cables.

Do you need help finding them, too?

If the cable is actually UL Listed, it will be permanently marked as such at regular intervals along it's length, along with the manufacturers name. Call the Manufacturer and ask them for a copy of their UL Certificate for the cable.

Thank you all for your comments. My question was about UL listed for the direct burial installation. NEC 770 does not address any outdoor fiber optic cable. Still 110.3A1 should still apply? The cable is an German cable with different testing and marks but is not UL listed.

<sigh> Last chance:

It would be useful to know where in the world you are at... Are you, as speculated, in the USA? What state?

...and just what parent code you are being asked to comply with. IBC, UBC, DoD, NPS... You have indicated NEC: NFPA 70 is a standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and appurtanances. It is not, by itself, a code, and may or may not be applicable here.

Was UL marked cable specified in the bid documents? We now know you did not use UL marked cable. Was it specified or implied by reference? Referenced by what?

From the original post: "Can someone help with the code section or requirement for this AHJ request?" Not without some feedback.

NEC-2008 (California CEC-2010) is a code for sure, art.110.3A1 indicate that all appurtances used in a project should be listed. Specified or not the inspector will not accept this (unlisted cable). We are in the designing mode, even though the FO is already bought.

I'm a little bit confused about what you want... Is UL 1651 what you are after?

Note that this is applicable to fiberoptic cables only. Requirements for cables that contain both electrical and optical fiber members are found in the applicable standard for the electrical cable.

Unfortunately Barney Bureaucrat wants to see the UL mark on the cable, or a certification for the cable from UL, or else.

So, regardless of the lack of logic displayed by requirement, OP will have to use different cable or get it certified by UL.

Since when does fiber optic cable offer any risk of shock or fire?

Can someone help with the code section or requirement for this AHJ request? (FO to be listed).

This is the original question. I thought that someone was in this situation and can share...and to address the last comment...the cable is direct buried, and is with a metalic shield.

NEC Section 110.3(A)(1) states that "...suitability of equipment may be evidenced by listing or labeling..." You seem to want to hang your hat here. Don't know why, but go ahead.

"Can someone help with the code section or requirement for this AHJ request?" What code? AHJ request for what? Does the cable classification have the letter 'C' in it? If yes, why are we having this discussion? If no why are we having this discussion?

Never mind, someone else may try to help. I've played the first fourteen questions, I'll let somebody play the last six.

<unsubscribe>

Your question and your reaction to our answers are not without ambivalence.

Why don't you ask the AHJ to give you the code under which he/she is mandating UL listing? It would not be an unreasonable request. He/she may be misreading, overstepping, or validating his/her position.

Ah...with a metallic shield. And where did you terminate the metallic shield?

This may parlay into the AHJ's line of questioning.

OP: "Terminate?"

"What we have here is failure to communicate." <Cool Hand Luke.>

OP, I don't believe that anyone here is capable of doing your job for you.

Hey, Doorman, wait for me. <unsubscribe>

Please go through these links. Make a humble presentation to the AHJ. He may then, hopefully change his views.

Is UL listing for an underground (outdoor) mounted optical cable mandatory?

The problem with asking a question in an electrical forum is that every answer seems to require an electrical-based answer. That is not the case here, UL provides rating services things other than electrical, like the flammability, smoke-generation, ultraviolet resistance, etc., qualities of the materials used:

"...UL tests raceways and fittings for installation of nonconductive optical fiber cables in accordance with Article 770 of the National Electrical Code and communications cables in accordance with Article 800 of the National Electrical Code. Listing includes pliable lengths, rigid straight sections, elbows, bends and fittings such as expansion joints, female and male adapters, and couplings. Individual raceway systems differ in their construction and therefore their components are not interchangeable with other raceways or fittings of other systems. The basic standard used to investigate products in this category is UL 2024, the Standard for Safety of Optical Fiber Cable Raceway..."

http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/industries/wireandcable/opticalfibercable/

RAMConsult, you are wright. This is not a strict electrical problem, but as you know is part of our daily struggle....

NEC-2008 art 770.

"II.Cables Outside and Entering Buildings.

770.48 Unlisted Cables and Raceways Entering Buildings.

(A)Conductive and Nonconductive Cables.

Unlisted conductive and nonconductive outside plant optical fiber cables shall be permitted to be installed in locations as described in 770.154(C), where the length of the cable within the building does not exceede 50 ft."

They talk here about UNLISTED cables entering the building. The article is still addressing an interior the building case.(as 770.154(C), do)

Now you can see why I thought that the outside the building I could use the UNLISTED cable. I guess I was wrong.

The cable in question is not owned by a communications utility, it is covered by the NEC and is subject to permiting and inspection per the rules of the local AHJ.

"Unlisted conductive and nonconductive outside plant optical fiber cables shall be permitted..."

This is slightly confusing and poor grammar if it was originally in English.

To me...this is saying that unlisted and nonconductive cables outside (of) plant optical fiber cables...which would mean the rule applies to all cables except plant optical fiber cables. Especially since it refers to cable within the building "exceede"ing...sic

This isn't a cut and paste, though, is it?

Well based on that wording, I would take it to mean:

Outside optical cable that is not listed is allowed as long as when the cable enters a building, it's length from entry point to termination is less than 50'.

Pz call your nearst UL office for help!